Tamil Nadu   

70 applications for live-unrelated transplants cleared

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: A total of 70 applications for live-unrelated transplants were cleared by the Authorisation Committee under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act over the last five months, according to Health Secretary V.K. Subburaj.

The number of transplants done through live-unrelated donors had dropped sharply in the State since investigations were launched into a kidney racket that surfaced early this year. The primary reason was stringent enforcement of rules under the TOHA Act, Mr. Subburaj said, addressing a function organised by the MOHAN Foundation. Earlier, the average for the same period was about 300 transplants. Even the number of applicants had dropped substantially - only 70 were received since January. The Health Secretary said strict enforcement of rules had also led to hardships for genuine patients. This should be avoided.

12,000 transplants

According to statistics provided by Dr. Shroff, 12,000 cadaver transplants are performed every year in India. Of this, Tamil Nadu contributed 350 cases. Live donor transplants were more in number in India.

However, Mr. Subburaj indicated that the only way to meet the demand for organs would be to encourage cadaver transplantation on a large scale in the State; for instance, facilitate organ retrieval in the 11,000 cases of death due to accidents.

Governor Surjit Singh Barnala suggested that people be allowed to make a will pledging organs if they so wished. It was imperative to enhance the facilities in government hospitals, where most accident victims were taken, and also establish ties with private hospitals in order to facilitate maximum utilisation of the organs harvested.

Minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna called for an organised organ-tracking programme in the State. Poet Kanimozhi suggested that the law be amended to legalise and honour a person's decision to donate his/her organs after his/her death, even if the family was unwilling.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Efforts on to refund money to depositors of non-banking financial companies
Sudharsan Engg. College
Crusade against child labour
Over 12,000 AIADMK volunteers arrested across the State
Forum demands abolition of `camp labour' scheme
"Furnishing inaccurate information attracts no disqualification"
"Not advisable to open Mettur dam on June 12"
World Bank to fund modernisation of irrigation system
Government told to set up SPCA in each district
HIV positive people seek representation in Govt. panels
SISI study to set up common facility centres
Association seeks lecturers' appointment
Perfect light
Little drops of freshness
Court fines bank staff
Inspector suffers burns, admitted to hospital
"Government according priority for Karaikal"
Crusade against cancer a tough job
Funds crunch leaves manuscripts preservation project withering
70 applications for live-unrelated transplants cleared
Communist leaders meet Karunanidhi
Taking the message of organ donation to a larger audience
Briefly

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu